Ask Trooper Keith: The skinny on slow-moving farm vehicles

I received a question this week regarding farm vehicles. A reader asked if tractors, combines and other farm vehicles have to follow the same rules as passenger vehicles. The reader expressed frustration with the speed of farm vehicles and mentioned that some of the farm vehicles seemed to be overloaded.

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By Trooper Keith Disselkoen

Ionia Sentinel - Standard-Ionia, MI

By Trooper Keith Disselkoen

Posted Oct. 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Trooper Keith Disselkoen

Posted Oct. 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

I received a question this week regarding farm vehicles. A reader asked if tractors, combines and other farm vehicles have to follow the same rules as passenger vehicles. The reader expressed frustration with the speed of farm vehicles and mentioned that some of the farm vehicles seemed to be overloaded.

Under Michigan law, such a farm vehicle is referred to as an “implement of husbandry.” An implement of husbandry is defined as a “vehicle which is either a farm tractor, a vehicle designed to be drawn by a farm tractor or an animal, a vehicle which directly harvests farm products, or a vehicle which directly applies fertilizer, spray, or seeds to a farm field.”

The basic definition is any vehicle used for farming. Compared to traditional vehicles, there are different requirements for implements of husbandry. Some of the major differences include:

A driver's license is not required n A license plate is not required

Weight limitations do not apply to implements of husbandry being used for a function essential to a farm operation

Farm implements must not be operated on freeways or limited access highways

An implement of husbandry must be operated so as to minimize the interruption of traffic flow

Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems are required, additional lights may be required based upon the manufacture date

You will likely encounter an implement of husbandry on the roadway. They are required to be operated so as to “minimize the interruption of traffic flow,” thus they are permitted slow traffic if/when necessary. What this is saying is that farm vehicles should pay attention to vehicular traffic to avoid impeding traffic, but it is understood that some delay will occur due to their size, speed, and the distances farm vehicles travel.

It can be frustrating to be delayed by a slow moving vehicle, so I encourage you to plan for possible delays during the fall harvest season, and the spring planting season. The combination of frustrated drivers and slow vehicles contribute to many traffic crashes that involve implements of husbandry.

There are many more regulations for implements of husbandry. You can refer to the “Michigan Farmer’s Transportation Guidebook” which is published by the Michigan State Police in conjunction with the Michigan Farm Bureau.

Keith Disselkoen is a Community Service Trooper for the MSP Lakeview Post. If you have a question for Trooper Disselkoen, you can email him at asktrooperkeith@gmail.com.